black mountain - visiting the stromans

Saying "Goodbye" to Brad and Ellen earlier this year wasn't easy. Our gallery/artist relationship is as old as Lynden Gallery, coming up quickly on 10 years in 2010. Retiring to Black Mountain, North Carolina in January, they have the most exquisite timber frame house, dogs at the ready, and the crystal, mountain air enhancing both life and art.

On arriving Thursday night, we found the two of them on the porch, and a lovely dinner waiting. This recipe is one Ellen found a long time ago in a newspaper, and continues to make often.

ITALIAN ZUCCHINI

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a 10-inch skillet saute the following in 1/2 cup margarine, until tender - about 10 minutes:

4 cups thinly sliced, unpeeled zucchini

1 cup coarsely chopped onion

Stir in:

1/2 cup fresh parsley

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp. fresh basil, chopped

1/4 tsp. fresh oregano leaves, chopped

In large bowl blend:

2 eggs, well-beaten

8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese

Vegetable mixture

Separate 1 8-ounce can refrigerated quick crescent dinner rolls, place in bottom of 10" pie plate or 11" quiche plate, pressing together and up the sides forming a crust. Spread crust with 2 tsp. dijon mustard, then pour vegetable mixture evenly into crust. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a knife inserted comes out clean. If crust becomes too brown, cover with foil during the last 10 minutes of baking. Let stand for 10 minutes, then cut into wedges and serve. Delicious!

Both Ellen and Brad are finding their new home in the mountains awe-inspiring, and there is so much to see with nearby Asheville, we simply have to go back. Ellen has taken up weaving, and Brad is throwing pots alongside painting. With an exhibition scheduled at Lynden Gallery for April 2010, I'm eager to see how his new work progresses. I think we'll call it, "Brad Stroman, Mountain Fever"....

For more information on the upcoming exhibition, see our website www.lyndengallery.com, sign up for our email event listings, or find us on Facebook at "eat well and buy more art".